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Is there any evidence regarding the assertion of Sauron's economic support of Saruman? This was something that I'd never considered while reading LOTR. Sauron knew what was going on in Orthanc, and may have provided some information at times (or Saruman stole the same), but I just can't see trainloads of orcs (Nan Curunir or Bust!) and supplies crossing the Anduin and Rohan without someone of import noticing.
My assumption has been that Saruman was using what he had on hand, and his hope was to get more stuff before that ran out. He used cash to buy supplies from the Shire (and possibly other places), and I'm sure who got the best deal when bartering. Surely he got what he could from Rohan, and not to be too graphic, but I think that he fed his troops with a variety of Soylent Green, if you follow me.
In regards to orcs (to me) it's implied that he somehow mated/crossed humans and orcs, and I think that those that got winnowed out went back into the pot.
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